Legal claims defining the scope of protection. Each claim is shown in both the original legal language and a plain English translation.
1. A method for selecting a network from a plurality of networks that includes at least a cellular network and a Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network for use by a communication device to process an outbound email as a data transmission, the method comprising: upon activation of a command to send the outbound email from the communication device, evaluating transmission characteristics of each network of the plurality of networks for the outbound email; when at least two networks of the plurality of networks are available to the communication device determining whether a total amount of data sent by the communication device over a time period through a first network of the at least two networks has reached a data limit; and when the amount of data has reached the data limit identifying a second network from the at least two networks for processing the outbound email; and transmitting the outbound email from the communication device using the second network.
When sending an email from a device that can use either a cellular or Wi-Fi network, this method automatically chooses the best network. It checks the data usage of each available network. If the device has already used up its data limit on one network (like a cellular data plan), the email will be sent using another available network (like Wi-Fi).
2. The method for selecting a network of claim 1 , further comprising: when only one network of the plurality of networks is available to the communication device, transmitting the outbound email from the communication device using the one network.
Building upon the method where the system chooses between cellular and Wi-Fi for sending email, if only ONE network is available to the device (either cellular or Wi-Fi), the email is automatically sent using that single available network, bypassing the data limit check from the original selection process.
3. The method for selecting a network of claim 1 , further comprising: switching from the second network to another network when the amount of data approaches or passes a data limit for the second network.
Building upon the method where the system chooses between cellular and Wi-Fi for sending email, the device actively monitors data usage on the network it's currently using. If the data usage approaches or exceeds the data limit for that network, the device automatically switches to another available network to continue sending data, avoiding overage charges.
4. The method for selecting a network of claim 1 , further comprising: disconnecting the communication device from the first network prior to selecting the second network for use by the communication device.
Building upon the method where the system chooses between cellular and Wi-Fi for sending email, before switching to another network because of a data limit, the device first disconnects from the original network. This ensures that no further data is used on the first network after the data limit has been reached, preventing unexpected charges.
5. The method for selecting a network of claim 1 , further comprising: when the at least two networks are available to the communication device, displaying a set of transmission options in a user interface on the communication device for processing the outbound email based on the transmission characteristics.
Building upon the method where the system chooses between cellular and Wi-Fi for sending email, if multiple networks are available (both cellular and Wi-Fi), the device displays a list of network options to the user. This list shows the characteristics of each network so that the user can make an informed choice about which network to use for sending the email.
6. The method for selecting a network of claim 5 , wherein the set of transmission options includes: a first option to use an immediately previously used network for the second network; a second option to use a network that has a transmission characteristic stronger than a transmission characteristic of another of the plurality of networks; and a third option to use a network of the plurality of networks that has a predetermined level of security.
Expanding on the network selection method that presents options to the user, the available network choices include: using the network that was most recently used, selecting a network with the strongest signal strength, and choosing a network with a higher level of security. The user can choose between these options.
7. A communication device having communication capabilities with a plurality of networks including at least a cellular network and a Wireless-Fidelity (Wi-Fi) network, the communication device comprising: a microprocessor; a display; memory; a communication subsystem to process an outbound email sent from the communication device through the plurality of networks; a first module to track a plurality of transmission characteristics of the plurality of networks and to store results in the memory; and a second module to determine whether a total amount of data sent by the communication device over a time period through a first network of at least two networks of the plurality of networks has reached a data limit; and when the amount of data has reached the data limit, identify a second network from the at least two networks for processing the outbound email; and transmit the outbound email from the communication device using the second network.
A communication device (like a smartphone) can connect to cellular and Wi-Fi networks and send emails. It includes a processor, screen, memory, and communication hardware. The device tracks characteristics of available networks and stores this information. If the device has used up its data limit on one network, it will send the email using another available network.
8. The communication device of claim 7 , further comprising: a third module to display a set of transmission options in a user interface on the communication device for processing the outbound email based on the plurality of transmission characteristics when the at least two networks are available to the communication device.
Expanding on the communication device that chooses between cellular and Wi-Fi, when multiple networks are available, the device displays a list of network options in a user interface. This list allows the user to choose which network to use for sending email, taking into account the characteristics of each network.
9. The communication device of claim 8 , wherein the set of transmission options includes: a first option to use as a second network for transmitting the outbound email an immediately previously used network of the at least two networks; a second option to use as the second network a network of the at least two networks that has a transmission characteristic stronger than a transmission characteristic of another network of the at least two networks; and a third option to use as the second network a network of the at least two networks that has a predetermined level of security.
Building upon the communication device that shows network options, the available choices include: the network that was used most recently, the network with the strongest signal, and the network with the best security. The user can select one of these networks for sending the email.
10. The communication device of claim 7 , wherein the second module further: transmits the outbound email from the communication device using one network of the plurality of networks when only the one network is available to the communication device.
Building on the communication device which intelligently selects between cellular and Wi-Fi, if only ONE network is available, the device automatically sends the email using that single available network, without needing to perform a data limit check.
11. The communication device of claim 7 , wherein the communication device: switches from the second network to another network when the amount of data approaches or passes a data limit for the second network.
Building on the communication device that selects between cellular and Wi-Fi, the device monitors data usage and automatically switches to another network if the data limit on the current network is reached or is close to being reached. This prevents overage charges.
12. The communication device of claim 7 , wherein the communication device: disconnects from the first network prior to selecting the second network for use.
Building on the communication device that selects between cellular and Wi-Fi, the device disconnects from the first network before switching to a different network.
13. The communication device of claim 7 , wherein the data limit comprises a data plan limit for the first network.
Building on the communication device which intelligently selects between cellular and Wi-Fi, the data limit that triggers the network switch is based on the data plan limit for the original network.
14. The method for selecting a network of claim 1 , wherein the data limit comprises a data plan limit for the first network.
Building on the method where the system chooses between cellular and Wi-Fi for sending email, the data limit that triggers switching to another network is based on the data plan limit for the original network.
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August 5, 2014
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